Step-ladder.



No. 820,467. PATBNTED MAY 15, 1906.

W. P. BIEIALE.

STEP LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11. 1904.

WITN E5SE6. INVENTOR MM ZvA-wma M M26 BY 6 m 1 76 WILLIAM F. BEALE, OFLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

, STEP-LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 1906.

Application filed August 17,1904. Serial No. 221,125.

To all whom it 'Wl/(I/Z/ concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. BEALE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders,of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a step-ladder which when spreadapart in the usual manner will hold itself in its spreadout positionwithout the use of the ordinary guy-rope which secures the strut to theladder proper and at the same time hold the stepladder in a rigidposition and prevent the strut from folding against the ladder-frameunless the strut is pulled down in the head so as to permit it to foldup. I accomplish this object by means of the device described herein andshown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a ladder embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of astep-securing plate in place under the step of the ladder, the frame andthe step of the ladder being broken away. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view ofthe head of the ladder with my head improvement shown therein. Fig. 4 isa perspective view of the step-securing plate before it is attached tothe ladder.

In the drawings, A represents the usual upright supports, upon which thesteps B are secured 1n the following manner-that is to say, astep-securing plate C is first secured at each end on the under side ofthe step B, the brads D being driven into the step B, the end of theplate 0 projecting out and beyond the end of the step, as shown indotted lines in Fig. 2, the brads Dprojecting through the upright A andbeing clenched on the outside, as shown in Fig. 1. In the constructionof these ladders in quantities the stepsupporting plates 0 are securedon the under side of the steps on each end thereof, the brads D havingpassed the step, theend C of the plate 0 projecting beyond the end ofthe step. These steps, with the plates secured thereto, are between theuprights properly spaced apart and are secured to the uprights bypressing the uprights firmly together against the ends of the steps, theprojecting ends C of the plate penetrating into the body of the uprightA, the projecting ends of the brad D being turned over and clenched,forming a rigid and solid connection between ithgdsteps and the uprightsupports of the a er.

form. This head-plate E is provided with an aperture G, providingclearance for the head-engaging lugs H. This aperture is provided with anotch or socket G in the lower corner thereof and a notch or socket G inthe upper corner thereof. These sockets are adapted to receive andengage the ends H and H of the head-engaging lug II on the strut I. Inthe drawings, Figs. 1 and 8, the strut is shown in its open orspread-out pos1- tion, and the plate-engaging lug H, rigidly secured onthe top end thereof, is shown projecting through the recess G in theplate E, the upper end H of the lug projecting into the socket G andwill hold in this position the strut in its open or spread-out position,as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. l/Vhen in this position, the ladder is readyfor use.

When it is desired to remove the ladder and fold it up fortransportation or to lay it away, the strut I is pulled down, carryingwith it the lug II. This will remove the upper end I of the lug from theupper socket in the head-plate and permit the ladder to be foldedtogether, and when the ladder is folded together the strut may be pusheddownwardly, carryingthe lower end H of the lug down into the socket G ofthe head-plate. This will hold the steps and the struts rigidly in thefolded position for storing away or for transportation.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with an upright of a step-ladder having a head-platethereon, said head-plate provided with an aperture, the top and bottomof the apertureprovided with notches, of a strut having a lug at itsupper end which enters the aperture the upper end of the lug received inthe upper notch and resting against the upper side of the aperture, andthe'other end against the opposite lower side when the ladder is inextended position.

2. In a step-ladder, the combination of a head-plate secured to the topof the ladder, said head-plate provided with an aperture IIO whosecenter is of a less width than its ends, of astrut having a lug securedat its upper end which enters the aperture, the lug being of greaterlength than the Width of the aperture whereby it is capable of only alimited turn therein.

3. In a step-ladder, the combination of a head-plate secured at the topof the ladder, said head-plate provided with an aperture Whose center isof a less diameter than its ends, and a strut having a lug at its upperend which enters the aperture, said lug swinging on the points at thecenter of the aperture as a pivot for adjusting the ladder in its openand closed'positions.

4:. In a step-ladder, the combination of a head-plate secured at the topof the ladder,

' said head-plate provided with an aperture whose center-is of lessdiameter than its ends, said aperture having notches at its upper andlower ends, of a lug on the upper end of the strut which enters theaperture, and is received in the upper notch of the aperture when in itsextended position.

5. In a step-ladder, the combination with a head-plate having integralbrads projecting from one side and an edge to enter different parts of astep-ladder, the head-plate having an aperture, an edge of which is inthe form of an obtuse angle with notches at each end thereof, of a struthaving a lug adapted to enter the aperture and its ends to enter one orthe other of said notches, whereby the strut is locked in one or theother of its extreme adjustments.

In witness that I claimthe foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 9th day of August, 1904.

WILLIAM F. BEALE.

Witnesses:

HENRY T. HAZARD, G. E. HARPHAM.

